Any fair assessment of the news reports today would demonstrate we are globally in a mess. It seems we are being threatened on every side of life – with voices all around saying: “ We are leading to an economic meltdown either through inflation or deflation!” “Our businesses are threatened with an increase in cyber attacks for which there is no shield”; “Our personal information has been stolen”; “Our cities are unsafe from the influx of drugs and human traffic”; “Now, threats of rampant disease”; “Earthquakes are happening in unexpected places with unusual frequency!”; “Natural disasters are overtaxing our resources”; “Another credible global terrorist threat?” Where is the safety in the midst of this turbulence?

Today news headlines are all about the situation in the Ukraine with Russian troops invading the sovereign nation, which includes the Crimean Peninsula. This region of the globe has been no stranger to chaos historically. And, then there is Syria, as well as the violence at the borders between Palestine and Israel. The situations are endless. Some people are glued to the TV for the news of such events, while others are yawning saying what else is new? Whether your view is brutal reality or comfortable denial, the situation is the same – our world is in chaos. So what does Christ say about this?

According to an articleby Fox News, the number of Christians killed for their faith in 2013 numbered 2,123, which increased from 1,201 in 2012. The article states: “More than half of those reported killings (1,213) occurred in Syria, followed by Nigeria (612) and Pakistan (88).”

On December 4, 2013, the Department of Homeland Security announced the recipients of the 2013 Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience. In their press release, they explain “The Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience recognizes outstanding response to a catastrophic incident and leadership in fostering resilient and prepared communities”

In response to Hurricane Sandy, “Monsignor Brown’s leadership led St. Francis de Sales Parish to become the largest relief center on the Rockaway peninsula, providing hot food, medical care, mental health care, trauma counseling, clothing, cleaning supplies, pet food, veterinary care, and more. At the height of the effort it served between 4,000 - 10,000 people per day.”

For more information about the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience or to read about the other recipients, you can read the DHS Press Release.

CEN also encourages all churches to take preparedness steps to be ready to serve their community in times of crisis. Sign up for our next FREE ReadyChurch Webinar here.